I appreciate your nursing guidance and advice. My Mum is 96yo and goes into a sort-of foetal position when she sleeps on her right side. When I put her into bed, I straighten her out to lie on her back. She crosses her legs in that position. She moves around and shuffles the entire night. Sometimes, raises her legs up like an inverted V. Sometimes she lies on her side. In the student nursing book "Long-term caring", it was mentioned that 'alignment of bones is very critical' and they provided diagrams of specific positions (supine, Fowlers, etc). When she walks, she stoops a lot and puts her hands on her knees when she walks. I make her do light exercizes and try to stop her bad habits but she keeps forgetting. She has osteoporosis between 20% to 15%. SHOULD I GENTLY TRY FIGURE-OF-EIGHT bandage to hold her shoulders-back straight ? There is no physiotherapist available. Her doctor refused to do a home visit. He refused to send a nurse. I am afraid to annoy him. I am not qualified so I better ask one of you really kind nurses !
The light exercises during the day are great. Does your mother have a walking frame? Would she use one? And, what's the problem getting hold of a physiotherapist?
I also have bolsters (short circular pillows) that I can put behind my back to stop me rolling over if my back issues make it easier to lie on one side. I can still wriggle, and push the bolster away if I really want to lie on the other side.
Perhaps some tricks like these could help your mother too.
I am concerned though about stooping and putting her hands on her knees while walking. Does she have a walker or rollator that could help her walk in a more straight body posture? My concern is not only for curvature, but for balance, and safety. That hand on knees position changes the distribution of weight and could put her in jeopardy of falling over.
You sound like such a wonderful & concerned daughter (or son?) to be so worried about your dear Mum. God bless you and keep you my friend. You're providing her with a beautiful and loving service.
FYI - despite the advice in your textbook a lot of those old nursing techniques are no longer followed.